Why I am supporting Clear Channel-If they Get Hit-I Get Hit

A couple of weeks back I told you about how the major record labels were pushing Congress to start charging commercial radio stations an crazy amount of
money to play music. This would be in addition to fees already being paid to organizations like ASCAP and BMI. The enticing
carrot that the RIAA (major record label lobby arm) was going around telling everyone that Clear Channel wasn't paying their fair share. Because CC is so
big and oftentimes ruthless in their approach, many of us decided to line up behind the labels and say 'Good make them pay'.

The labels added fuel to the fire by announcing that the artists weren't getting their fair share and thus it was imperative that CC start paying up.

Now as most of y'all know I'm no fan of Clear Channel, but on this issue I am fully behind them and alerted you guys. I noted that performance tax on
CC will not be limited to them it would apply to all radio stations and soon even the non-commercial ones that play underground Hip Hop will find themselves
in the cross-hairs. A few of y'all industry types tried to reason with me by stating, 'No Dave they are only going after the 'Big Guys' the
little guys are free. I explained that not only will this tax result in tighter playlists thus making it even harder for artists to get on the airwaves, but
it would also include non-commercial and college stations and soon club DJs..

Yesterday hearings were had on Capitol Hill and the real truth is starting to come out. Yes the labels are now going after non-commercial broadcasters.

I've included an article that talks about this. It includes instructions on how to reach your Congressman. Do not be fooled into thinking that the
artists aren't getting paid.. Thats not true. Kanye West, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Black Eyed
Peas are getting paid. Local rapper in local city can't even get airplay because the major labels have put a serious lock on things. Do not get
fooled by the few locals in different cities getting airplay. Thats designed to avoid criticism and keep you confused. In other words E-40 getting played in
the Bay Area does not transfer over to Mista FAB, Ise Lyfe or even Hiero or Michael
Franti which routinely sell out shows. Here's the article

If the Performance Rights Act is passed, not only would there be an
annual fee of $1,000, but there would be, yet to be determined recordkeeping
requirements and playlist restrictions consistent with the sound
recording performance compliment. (this means not being allowed to play more than 3 songs per hour by a particular artist.. So if you wanna do a Sly Stone,
James Brown special or marathon, you won't be able to to that anymore)

Today would be a good day for you (and all of your station members)
to call your representative on the hill and tell them that they should
support the Local Radio Freedom Act and not the Performance Rights Act. While
today is a good day, everyday in the coming weeks is important, so don't think
that just because you didn't mount a campaign to call people today that the
opportunity has passed.

Why? Can your station afford another $1,000 year royalty for
playing music that the labels beg you to play or that you have to purchase in
order to play? Can you imagine having to submit monthly reports of what you
play?

Music First suggests that this bill has to pass in order to give fair treatment to the artists. Music First is funded primarily by "members of
SoundExchange". Guess who the members are... the big labels that have mistreated artists for decades. (sound exchange is the reason
why most stations can't stream and why Internet Radio for independent broadcasters was killed. They proposed and won a ruling that forces broadcasters
to pay 18cent per song per listener-This will go up to 25 cent per song per listeners-You can do the math)

The Free Radio Alliance (http://www.freeradioalliance.org/) has
put together the resources needed to identify your representative. Use it to
call your representative, not just send an email. Use these resources to inform your members and ask them to call as well.

Lastly some of you reading this are asking 'What does this have to do with me?' Well I'm noticing alot of activist organizations are now sparking
off websites and making commitment to do their own media. Many of you have come to the conclusion that in order to really engage younger audiences its best
to have platforms that play music and show videos. You wanna include this on your websites to go along with Twitter, Facebook myspace and Apple Apps. Now
what many of y'all are finding that if you go in that direction its gonna be way too costly. The reason for creating media which allows you tell your own
stories in your own ways has become impossible unless you have tons of money. The folks who caused many of you to go to the web and digiatl media in the
first place is now there with the laws on their side demanding to be paid and paid big time..

Last week I DJ'ed a fundraising party for some folks. They had a number of popular deejays on the bill. We are now moving to the point where such orgs
woulkd have to start breaking off labels even if the songs being played are small and not signed to major labels. This is what's happening folks as we
speak. I'm heartbroken that one of our congressional heroes John Conyers of the Congressional Black Caucus has been the
man pushing for this. He's a jazz lover and wants to preserve the culture and sadly the labels got to him and several members of congress first. They
buttered them up with Grammy tickets, and visits from artists who already have money. Don't be fooled communication to the masses should not be the
domain of a few.

We are already being assaulted by too many Sean Hannitys and Bill O'Reilly's-like the economy this is gonna get worse if this
passes.

Sadly, one of our congressional heroes John Conyers has been supporting the major labels and their attempts to smash down on radio
stations and individuals who want to play music. Please take action folks..

Thanks for the Free Radio Alliance mention and for talking about the threat this issue poses -- we have a ton of resources on our Web site to help fight back
against the performance tax (talking points, sample letters to members of Congress, sample op-eds for newspapers, etc.) -- http://www.freeradioalliance.org. Only by all of us taking this issue on can we defeat it.